Victory

Warning: its still pretty swollen!!!

Can you even believe it?! We were there today for almost four hours….but it was well worth it. The guy who did it has been a tattoo artist for 13 years and really took his time with each of us. He sketched out a couple images for me until the final decision was made. I originally was going to get a wave with a cross under it, but after talking to him I decided upon having the cross actually IN the wave. It hurt like HELL but I do love it! It took about 30 minutes for him to do and the whole time I squeezed my eyes shut and imagined John with his hands on my shoulders. I pray he was there!

My mom got a petal on her finger and I was so proud of her!

And my dad got exactly what John wanted….a cross with the words “give me strength” above it and John’s initials underneath.

What an odd family bonding event that I NEVER would have foreseen. Just goes to show that if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans…no? I can’t even believe how fast things can change; not even two weeks ago life was so different and my brother was still alive. I keep telling myself everything happens for a reason…..its all we can do sometimes.

Before I left for tattooing, I recreated my favorite salad for lunch that I used to eat all the time in Paris. It is a combo of organic greens, mushrooms, carrots, tomato, an ounce of fresh goat cheese and two paper thin slices of prosciutto drizzled in balsamic vinegar—

With a peanut butter stuffed date on the side!

It wasn’t all raw or even vegetarian, but it was very satisfying and fresh. I love the combo of prosciutto with goat cheese….brings me right back to my tiny Parisian apartment, I swear!

This was my first experience with Peanut Butter and Co’s Mighty Maple pb….yum! I really love maple syrup so I was excited that the maple taste was pretty dominant in this peanut butter. However, the peanut butter did have sort of a “grainy” feel to it that I couldn’t put my finger on. Maybe because, unlike the raw almond butter I usually eat, this has added sugar in it? Regardless, the flavor was still awesome and I loved how creamy it was. More reviews to come as I slowly eat my way through all my new jars!

And since we were at the tattoo place for SO long, I sort of cheated on my raw snack. Well, it was still raw but I was planning on making something much cooler at home (think more holiday chia pudding!) but I got really hungry fast before they tattooed me and knew I should eat something quick.

I ate half of this bar because it was huge, but goodness it was delicious!!! It was chewy and filling. I loved the crunch of the raw buckwheat groats and almonds. This fueled me through a two hour trip to IKEA

Look, lingonberry juice (and a wrapped, swollen wrist!)—

IKEA was amazing! I can’t believe I’ve never been before! I found SO many things that I wanted but managed to walk out with only a little something for my furry beast

Isn’t it cute? Its a little cat tent with a furry mat inside. Let’s hope Dexter likes it!

I’m going to take some measurements at the condo and then go back because I found the perfect bookcase, barstools and coffee table…..all were very affordable and very, very cute.

I got home rather late from the tattoo/IKEA experience and I ate exactly what I was craving, even though frozen meals aren’t the healthiest.

I just love this—I CRAVE this pad thai. Its the best outside of a restaurant that I’ve ever had and I always relish every last bite.

After I ate I went to my parent’s house because my brother’s sweet girlfriend was going to stop by to say hi and meet Mikey. I had a tiny glass of red wine and opened up a package that had come for me in the mail!

My friend, Chrissy, sent me a plethora of Trader Joe’s stuff!!!! THANK YOU, CHRISSY!!!!!! I can’t wait to try out all these dried fruits and have a spoonful of TJ’s raw almond butter which I have heard so much about. I had two of the milk chocolate covered bing cherries for dessert—

YUM! This was a bite of heaven. I love care packages!

Ryan still hasn’t seen the tattoo yet…….it might be an interesting night! I’m off to make some of my new peppermint tea and journal. See you all in the morning!